French language survival guide

French false friends

Or faux amis in French. Often, translating from English to French you can have a good stab at what a word may be by trying to use the English one, (ensuring you adopt an Inspector Cluseau-style accent). However, it’s not always the case.
Monnaie: Not money (argent), but change – as in loose change.
Envie: Not envy, but the desire/wish to do something, as in j’ai envie de…Librarie : Not a library (bibliothèque), but a book shop.
Location :Not location, but rental, ie location voiture = car rental.
Préservatif: This probably requires more care than most. It absolutely does not mean preservatives. If you were in a restaurant/shop and tried to politely enquire whether the food contained any préservatifs the response would likely be shock/double take/hysterical laughter….let me explain. Un préservatif translates as condom! You have been warned.
Why do French people keep wishing you a “bon journey”? What they are actually saying is, Bonnejournéewhich means have a nice day. Bon voyagewould be have a good journey!